Many different formats of information are needed to describe the performance of materials. Software systems capable of managing materials information have to be able to handle them all. Typical types of materials information include: · point data - e.g. a single number represents strength and room temperature, · interdependent functional data - e.g. multiple data series represents strength with changing temperature and strain rate, · graphics - e.g. micrographs show the differences between ductile and brittle failure, · text - e.g. a description of ductile/brittle transition is not possible without text. Omitting any one of these would seriously reduce the usefulness of any system. To their detriment, materials databases have, historically, concentrated exclusively on numerical data

Integrating this wealth of knowledge into a single interface gives the engineer desktop access to all of the appropriate data in the required software environment (e.g. CAD/FE). This presents materials intensive organizations with the opportunity to maximize their return on expensive materials information. An example of an organization gaining a return on its materials information through technology is ASM International with their Alloy Center and Handbooks online.

This paper outlines the methodologies needed for integrating materials data from the lab through to the design analyst’s desktop, so that all aspects of materials information management lie within a single quality controlled, fully traceable, comprehensive system.

Example information sets include: 1. Statistical analysis of tensile test data, r-curve analysis, LCF, etc. 2. Materials trade analysis for optimal design identification 3. Net (intra-, inter-, extra-) based information distribution to dispersed audiences 4. Data integration with third-party CAD, FE and PLM systems.